Broadcast News

Original Comedy Series Set To Air

FX's new comedy series Wilfred, starring Elijah Wood and Jason Gann, which makes its American television premiere on Thursday, June 23 at 10 PM, has landed a major international broadcast deal with BBC for free television in the United Kingdom.
BBC3 will begin airing Wilfred in the fall.
Wilfred is a live-action comedy series that is generating very favorable buzz from television critics. Wilfred marks Wood’s first starring role in regular series television.
He stars as “Ryan,” an introvert struggling to make his way in the world until he meets “Wilfred” (played by Gann, co-creator of the Australian series), his neighbour's canine pet. While the world sees Wilfred as a dog, Ryan sees Wilfred as a man dressed in a dog suit. Co-stars include Fiona Gubelmann as “Jenna,” Ryan’s attractive neighbour and Wilfred’s owner and Dorian Brown as “Kristen,” Ryan’s uptight sister.
“We are delighted to be expanding our comedy line up with BBC3 and feel confident that Wilfred will prove a big hit with the UK” said Steve Cornish, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.
Wilfred is based on the critically acclaimed Australian series of the same title. Wilfred was adapted for FX by David Zuckerman (Family Guy, American Dad), who wrote the pilot and serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner. Executive Producers are Rich Frank, Paul Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park, along with Joe Connor and Ken Connor of Renegade, producers of the Australian version of Wilfred. Gann serves as Co-Executive Producer. The series is produced by FX Productions. FX is producing 13 episodes of Wilfred for its first season.
“This is great news for the series and we’re very optimistic about the future of Wilfred,” Said Eric Schrier, Executive Vice President of FX Productions and Senior Vice President of Original Programming for FX Networks. “Foreign markets are becoming increasingly familiar with FX’s brand of comedy and its appeal with younger adult audiences. BBC 3, with outstanding comedies like Family Guy and American Dad, is a great home for Wilfred.”
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from the Fox Networks Group. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 99 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, an established film library with box-office hits from 20th Century Fox and other studios, acquired hit series, and sports.
FX Productions co-produces the critically acclaimed hit dramas Sons of Anarchy (with Fox 21.) and Justified (with Sony Pictures Television) and produces the critically acclaimed hit comedies It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Archer and Louie.
(GK/BMcC)